Chapter 130: 15) The Hidden realm
Gu Changge's lips curved into a faint smile, his eyes glinting with shrewd calculation.
At the same time, an elder donned in a white fairy robe, his long white beard flattering stepped forward, his sharp tongue like a needle.
"A simple arrangement, really? Kneel before me, swear your allegiance, and hand over the secrets of your runes. In return, I shall spare your life and even consider granting you a position within my faction,"
The elder's voice rang like thunder.
Hearing this Gu Changgee was shocked and felt a little sour feeling in his heart.
He was a man from the modern world who had traveled into the cultivation world, as a major villain with the Fated Villain system.
Hearing the dialogue of Elder he couldn't help but cuss himself... Such cringe dialogue yet such ferocity.
———
At the same time,
Yang Khan's brow furrowed in contemplation.
He couldn't lie... the offer was tempting to join the faction but the price to pay was illogical, you don't trade a cow with a cat.
Not to mention one can easily figure it out; better not to trust the silky smooth words of this arrogant elder.
Squaring his shoulders, he met Gu Changge's gaze with a surprising calm.
"And what if I refuse?" he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.
Gu Changge's expression darkened, a flash of annoyance flickering across his features.
"Then I'm afraid you leave me no choice." He raised his hand, and a swirling vortex of energy began to coalesce around his fingertips.
'Protagonist... Hmm, prideful as ever,' he thought.
Yang Khan's eyes widened in alarm, but before he could react, a deep, authoritative voice cut through the tension.
"That's enough, Gu Changge." A tall, imposing figure stepped forward, his presence commanding the attention of all present. It was one of the Supreme elders accompanying Gu Changge, his robes emblazoned with the sigil of the Gu Clan.
Gu Changge's hand faltered, and the vortex of energy dissipated. He turned to the elder, his expression neutral, but the slight tension in his posture betrayed his annoyance at the interruption.
"Elder Gu," he acknowledged, his voice laced with a hint of deference.
"I was merely attempting to secure a valuable asset for the Gu Clan,"
A few elders nodded and supported the Gu Changgee.
"Prince Gu is merely teaching an ungrateful beat a lesson... Why stop him,"
"Indeed! If it was me... I would have annihilated his entire bloodline and took his wives as slaves,"
Supreme Elder Gu raised a hand, silencing every mouth with a stern look.
With a sharp look, the Supreme Elder glanced at Gu Changgee.
"I understand your ambition, young master, but we cannot afford to antagonize the Yang Clan so rashly. Their influence in the region is not to be underestimated, "
Gu Changge's jaw tightened, but he inclined his head in reluctant acknowledgment, keeping a straight face.
"Very well, Elder. I shall heed your counsel," His gaze shifted back to Yang Khan, a calculating gleam in his eyes.
"But make no mistake, Yang Khan. Our conversation is far from over,"
Yang Khan felt a shiver run down his spine at the thinly veiled threat.
Gu Changge's words were like a silk scarf concealing the sharp blade of a dagger, ready to strike at any moment.
"I appreciate your... restraint, Young Master Gu," Yang Khan said carefully, his voice betraying a hint of unease.
"But I must decline your offer. The secrets of my runes are mine alone to keep,"
Gu Changge's lips curled into a slight smile, and he tilted his head to the side, his gaze never leaving Yang Khan's face. "Is that so?" he mused, his tone deceptively mild.
"Then perhaps we could explore other avenues of... cooperation,"
The implication was clear - Gu Changge had no intention of simply letting this matter go. Yang Khan could sense the gears turning in the young master's mind, his sharp intellect working to devise a new strategy to obtain what he desired.
A lion can be domesticated but it will never forget to Hunt.
"I'm listening," Yang Khan replied cautiously, bracing himself for the onslaught of Gu Changge's psychological prowess.
Gu Changge's smile widened, an air of cunning authority emanating from his every pore. "Excellent, Young master Yang. I'm glad we see eye to eye on the potential...benefits of our cooperation,"
He began to pace leisurely, his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze sweeping over Yang Khan and the surrounding area. "You see, the ancient runes you possess intrigue me greatly. Their power, their secrets - they could prove invaluable to the Gu Clan,"
Pausing, Gu Changge turned to face Yang Khan, his eyes glinting with a razor-sharp intellect. "However, I'm not one to simply take what I want through force. No, I prefer a...mutually advantageous arrangement. One where we both stand to gain something significant..."
His words though looked butter were actually venom.
Yang Khan couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping up his spine.
Gu Changge's words were smooth as silk, but there was an undercurrent of danger that put him on edge.
"And what, pray tell, did you have in mind?" he asked cautiously.
Gu Changge's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Ahem* Ahem* Young Master Yang, before we talk more, can you please tell me, why no one is with you, since you are from mighty Yang Khan, I believe you should be with servants..."
His words were like blood, dropped at the ocean to awaken the hungry sharks.
The Elders were instantly alerted including the supreme elder, they all looked around and saw many people yet not a single one of them was from the Yang Family.
A sinister feeling arose on the hearts of elders, as they were successfully under the control of Gu Changgee, their emotions, a single string of his.
Gu Changgee looked at the Supreme Elder,
"Elder look at my eyes and tell me what do you see...
"
The supreme elder looked at his eyes and saw nothing but deep darkness, the color is his eyes.